Noren - Sake & Sushi Bar

Noren is a counter-only sushi and sake bar set within Chisou Sushi & Izakaya on South Molton Street in London. The name refers to the traditional curtain marking entry to a Japanese establishment, and the space is built around that idea: a small, intimate room meant to feel like a night out in Tokyo rather than a conventional restaurant.

Seating is limited to ten places at the counter, where sushi chefs prepare a seasonal menu in view of guests. Past menus have included dishes such as hamachi tataki, makazu, chutoro carpaccio, and an omakase sushi course, though the kitchen changes its offering with the seasons rather than running a fixed set. A sake list runs alongside the food, with pairing available for those who want it matched course by course.

Both lunch and dinner service are offered. Lunch runs for a couple of hours at midday, dinner in the evening, across most days of the week; the restaurant is closed Monday and Sunday. The menu is available in English, and the room can also be booked privately for groups wanting the whole space to themselves.

As this is an upscale, counter-driven format with only ten seats, reservations are recommended well ahead, particularly for evening sittings. Booking runs through a phone call to the restaurant rather than an online system, so calling directly is the most reliable way to confirm a date and time.